Seattle Opera has chosen Aidan Lang to be its third general director, taking over in September 2014.

Born in London, Lang has 27 years of experience in both artistic and management roles in opera and has worked with New Zealand Opera, Glyndebourne Opera Festival, the Buxton Festival and Opera Zuid.He freely expounds on his view that creative industries are big business.

Lang has big shoes to fill. He will follow the sprightly and talented Speight Jenkins, 76, a household name in the arts community and in opera circles around the world, who has led the company for three decades and put Seattle on par with top opera cities.

“I like him,” says Jenkins, who met Lang for the first time when four finalist candidates came to Seattle to meet the Seattle Opera team. “He knows a lot about opera and he has had some connection with 'The Ring' earlier. He’s a very likable person and a very knowledgeable person. I was impressed with him, and since his appointment, we have had very good communication back and forth on things. I think Aidan will be able to handle it beautifully,” he says.

John Nesholm, chairman of the board of Seattle Opera and head of the search committee, says the two-year search turned up just what they were seeking.

“He floated to the top after an intense three-day session meeting with the staff, the board, the leadership, and then talking to the search committee. He embraced our vision statement, he has a great sense of the theater, great musical taste, and great singer choice … He fits into what we’ve been doing for 30 years. He’s the whole package,” says Nesholm.

Related links:

Comments

If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.